COLLECTING CIVIL WAR
SURGEON’S SWORDS
Civil War
surgeon images and medical staff swords wanted:
By Paul R. Johnson,
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Written regulations for the Medical Corps specified the requirement for
Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons to obtain and wear dress swords. The
Model 1840 Medical Staff sword had been patterned more than 20 years
prior to the Civil War. This model superseded the more frail M 1832
pattern.
The M
1840 Medical Staff sword was fairly unique when compared to the sword patterns
for both Staff and Field/Line officers and Non-Commissioned officers of the same
time period. These swords were elegant in design and completely ceremonial in
purpose. However, the style is identical with the Pay Department sword,
differing only in the lettering in the hilt (P.D. vs M.S.) and etching on the
blade.
Trimmed
in brass, with an eagle on the hilt, an acorn for the tang screw, the center of
the shield in the cross guard usually contained applied silver letters M.S..
This, of course, represented 'Medical Staff'. At times, only the M is silver,
and also, both letters may be of brass, or cast with the brass hilt.
The
blade usually is etched 'United States Medical Staff' or variants thereof, with
floral designs and acorn/oak leaf patterns many times included. The brass
scabbard and furniture also frequently echo this theme; and oak leaves are still
associated with the military medical service in present times.
Swords
were worn on officer's belts with either the standard longer snap spring
hangers, or more uncommonly, utilizing double vertical short hangers. The
latter type of suspension places the sword at a perpendicular hang without much
to and fro movement when walking or when seated.
The M
1840 medical Staff sword was manufactured by numerous American makers. Some of
these include Ames of Massachusetts, Roby also of Massachusetts, Horstmann of
Philadelphia, Tiffany of New York, Mansfield and Lamb of R.I., Collins of
Connecticut, and several others. Not uncommonly, many European sword makers
manufactured the M 1840 for the American market and were imported during the
Civil War. Some of these are equal with the U.S. produced swords in both in
quality and appearance. In addition, Horstmann, Roby, and other's also imported
continental swords/blades and remarked them with their own manufacturing names.
EVALUATION OF CIVIL WAR SURGEON'S SWORDS
It may
be thought to be a general rule that American manufactured swords are more
desirable than imported specimens. Ames swords tend to be the most in demand.
However, there are very many superb German and other continental swords of equal
quality. History of Ames Sword
Company
One
recurring problem encountered with these swords is that they are easily
disassembled. Several specimens have been seen which, when reassembled, the
ornate brass ferrule/washer between the hilt piece and the cross guard has
apparently been misplaced. Sometimes the acorn hilt cap screw is long enough to
simply screw tight the entire assembly. However, at times, the screw is not
long enough, and thus, the owner has cut off then end of the tapped tang,
allowing the screw to tighten adequately. This will reduce value.
Not a
few Civil War Surgeons swords were inscribed and/or presented during their
period of usage. These must be viewed with care in evaluating originality and
authenticity, since the presence of inscriptions, particularly of historic
importance, may very well significantly increase value. Engraving should be of
obvious hand work and not uniform as if machined. Wear and patina should be
uniform, and the surrounding metal should not have a newly bright, polished
appearance. High magnification may be required. Also, currently several
manufacturers are producing modern reproduction sword presumably for the
reenactment market, and caution should be exercised.
Perhaps
one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of Surgeon Sword collecting is
researching authentic inscriptions. Similar to identified CDV's of Surgeons,
researching and identifying their regiment and scope of service can be very
exciting, particularly if/when the Surgeon can be determined to have 'seen the
elephant' at a major engagement or period/place of service or with a famous
regiment.
It is
to be remembered that the M 1840 Medical Staff sword lived on well into the
Indian campaign years and perhaps beyond. Thus, many are post Civil War
period. Again, in general, Civil War swords are more desirable than later
period specimens.
Makers
of Civil War era swords:
-
Ames, Springfield and Chicopee
Mass
-
W. H. Horstmann, Philadelphia
(mostly used imported blades from Europe)
-
C. Roby & Co., Chelmsford,
Mass.
-
Mansfield and Lamb, R.I.
-
Collins and Co, Hartford,
Conn.
-
Tiffany and Co, New York
-
Schuyler, Hartley and Graham &
Co., New York
-
H. Sauerbier, Newark, N.J.
-
Emerson & Silver, Trenton,
N.J.
-
Civil War era surgeon
swords wanted to buy for this collection:
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